Lawyers

Expertise

Press releases

Events

Presentations

Publications

Other

Compliance & Investigations

Reputational damage, ever-higher record fines and huge compensation claims – the implications of compliance violations can be very serious. We assist clients suspected of infringements, handling internal investigations and leveraging our experience in dealing with regulatory, antitrust and criminal authorities and defending court proceedings. We also develop and optimise tailored compliance programmes for companies to help them avoid falling foul of the relevant authorities and to minimise the risk of fines. Clients benefit from our full service compliance practice, which brings together the knowledge and experience of lawyers from different areas, including antitrust, criminal, employment, data protection, public procurement and corporate law.

We work closely with our clients to develop compliance programmes that fit their specific needs and assist in implementing these programmes. We start by identifying the particular risks and provide support in setting up the necessary compliance structures and implementing systems to monitor compliance in day-to-day practice.

The success of compliance programmes depends on the participation and support of all employees. In face-to-face seminars and online training sessions, we help employees develop an understanding of the various aspects of compliance and raise their awareness. Gleiss Lutz has developed a practical and easy-to-use multilingual e-learning tool with a focus on antitrust law. That prepares employees for situations they may encounter in practice.

To identify weak spots in corporate structures or existing compliance systems, we offer screenings and audits that enable clients to optimise the assessment and minimisation of risks. They also allow us to uncover serious infringements and prepare for possible actions. Engaging outside experts has the advantage of guaranteeing that investigations are independent, confidential, and reliable. This facilitates dealings with the authorities, should this prove to be necessary.

In the event of breaches of duty by the management, we advise on the assertion of claims for damages against (former) board members and employees as well as D&O insurance coverage. We also represent companies in related matters before the regulatory authorities. In connection with antitrust issues,we advise on self-reporting options and using leniency programmes. We have extensive experience in dealing with the antitrust, regulatory tax and criminal authorities, as well as with the respective courts, and are frequently retained to defend companies and their management against claims for damages.

The legislator has developed an extensive set of tools for combating money laundering, an issue that affects a wide range of companies outside the financial and banking sectors. Companies need to review whether their activities fall under the Money Laundering Act and what their business-related duties are (notification duties, due diligence and organisational obligations). Non-compliance with these requirements can result in severe sanctions. We advise clients on the development of money laundering prevention programmes. When clients are suspected of money laundering offences, we conduct internal investigations, advise on whether to file suspicious activity reports or criminal charges, and represent them before regulatory and criminal authorities. We also provide guidance on the relevant employment and civil law consequences of violations, and enforce claims against those responsible.

Medium-sized and large companies with complex and diverse operations are more likely to face situations involving some form of criminal conduct. We advise on all key aspects of commercial criminal law - providing both preventive and litigation services - while drawing on our specialists’ expertise to efficiently assert client rights in preliminary investigations, as well as in criminal or cartel proceedings. This also applies where your company has fallen victim to crime, such as fraud or embezzlement. A special focus of our criminal law practice is on corruption and white-collar crime.

If there is suspicion of a tax offence, tax auditors will quickly call in tax investigators. We provide pre-emptive support on ongoing tax audits, including where tax investigators are already involved.

We are well-versed in conducting cross-border internal investigations, and work hand-in-hand with partner law firms both in Europe and around the world. This enables us to deliver in-depth and comprehensive legal advice – making us a one-stop shop for complex compliance matters and internal investigations.